Karen Sibley was a voice for children who had no voice of their own.
She was one of the founders of Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children, which, according to executive director Duaine Hathaway, has served more than 200,000 children since its founding 25 years ago.
Sibley was a member of the National Commission for Foster Care in the United States and a board member of the Child Welfare Society of America.
She was deeply involved with Families First and the A.G. Rhodes Home, a rehabilitation and long-term care provider.
“She was such an advocate for children,” said family friend Ann Barrett. “That was such an important thing for her. Children had no voice and needed other people to speak up for them.”
Karen Sibley died Aug. 3 of natural causes at her home in Atlanta. She was 92. A memorial service will be noon Wednesday at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta. H.M. Patterson and Son Spring Hill is in charge of arrangements.
Karen Sibley used her passion to encourage others to care for children and the elderly.
Sibley’s granddaughter Karen Brown became involved in Families First when Sibley asked her to help renovate one of the organization’s homes for women.
“She thought we could do that together, and then she stepped back,” Brown said. “That’s how she got most people involved.”
“Granny believed and taught me, and she showed us, that for the world and for Atlanta to be successful it really takes everybody. It takes a village,” said Brown. “It’s not I or me, it’s us.”
Sibley was also part of the Mimosa Garden Club and was a board member of the Michael C. Carlos museum.
“She had a great life full of family and love and support. She wanted to share that in hopes that everybody could have that feeling,” said Brown.
Though Sibley was devoted to helping other children, she was “devoted to her husband first, and her five children and their families,” said daughter Mariea Sibley. “Her very close love was her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She was crazy about those grandchildren.”
In addition to her daughter Mariea Sibley and granddaughter Karen Brown, both of Atlanta, Karen Sibley is survived by husband James Sibley, of Atlanta; sons Jim and Jack Sibley, of Atlanta, and Quintus Sibley of Highlands, N.C.; daughter Elsa Sibley, of Moreland, Ga.; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
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